Foreign currency gains and losses

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This information may not apply to the current year. Check the content carefully to ensure it is applicable to your circumstances.

End of attention

If you purchase a depreciating asset in foreign currency, the first element of the asset's cost is converted to Australian currency at the exchange rate applicable when you begin to hold the asset, or when the obligation is satisfied, whichever occurs first. From 1 July 2003, if the foreign currency became due for payment within the 24-month period that began 12 months before the time when you began to hold the depreciating asset, any realised foreign currency gain or loss (referred to as a forex realisation gain or a forex realisation loss) can modify the asset's cost, opening adjustable value, or the opening balance of your low-value pool (as the case may be).

Similar consequences apply for second element of cost amounts involving foreign currency. However, the translation to Australian currency is made at the exchange rate applicable at the time you incurred the relevant expenditure and a 12-month rule instead of a 24-month rule applies. The 12-month rule requires that the foreign currency became due for payment within 12 months after the time you incurred the relevant expenditure.

Otherwise, that gain or loss is included in assessable income or allowed as a deduction, respectively.

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If you follow our information and it turns out to be incorrect, or it is misleading and you make a mistake as a result, we will take that into account when determining what action, if any, we should take.

Some of the information on this website applies to a specific financial year. This is clearly marked. Make sure you have the information for the right year before making decisions based on that information.

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